Svartholm had roughly 700 troops, yet only about a third had functioning weapons, and the fortress guns lacked carriages. Food and ammunition were inadequate, and the wells were unusable. The garrison rejected two surrender demands before a Russian bombardment opened negotiations. The fortress capitulated on 18 March with only one defender wounded. Its nominal strength concealed a position unable to sustain a siege.
Chapter · 52:49-53:58
Svartholm: a fortress without usable guns
Svartholm's nominal garrison concealed unusable wells, guns without carriages, poor stores, and weapons for only part of the force.